Enemies By Design: How The US And USSR Shaped Each Other's Identity

...As Obedient Movement Seeks Independent INEC Chairman, Electoral Reforms

By Chukwudi Ebele

 

Renowned political economist and a strong advocate of the Obedient Movement, Prof. Pat Utomi, has asserted that a new Nigeria is not only possible but inevitable. He made this statement during the South East Good Governance Symposium organized by the Obedient Movement at the All Saints Cathedral Auditorium, Onitsha.

Prof. Utomi, who joined the event virtually from the United States, emphasized that a new Nigeria is not only possible but inevitable.

"The Obedient Movement came together because people were fed up with the situation in the country. We must plan and work to achieve our goals," he said.

"The new tribe is a values-based movement. Values shape society. We aim to drive a new consciousness among people, especially the youth, who understand that the current trajectory will lead us nowhere unless we prioritize values and selflessness over materialism. Service requires sacrifice. We must shift from consumption to production," he added.

In his address, the National Coordinator of the Obedient Movement Globally, Dr. Tanko Yunusa, stated: "We will advocate for electoral reforms both legally and physically. We will mobilize people on the streets, in the courts, and in the national assembly. The issue of voter results will be addressed instantly from the polling units, and electronic voting will be approved. We will also champion the cause of diaspora voting."

He continued, "We are demanding that the selection of the INEC Chairman be done transparently. Three nominees, unknown to the president, should be presented, and the most qualified individual should be selected independently, free from presidential influence or manipulation."

"Change is when we move from consumption to production. The South East has the intellectual capacity needed to propel this country forward. With the technical expertise from the South East, Nigeria can become an industrial and producing nation," Yunusa remarked.

"I declared my support for a South East president four years ago, even before Mr. Peter Obi emerged as a presidential candidate. Since the civil war, no South Easterner has been given the opportunity to lead this country. If you believe in Nigeria and want to lift it out of poverty, focus on infrastructure development. We need Mr. Peter Gregory Obi," he added.

"Mr. Peter Gregory Obi embodies the qualities of Nnamdi Azikiwe (Zik of Africa), Abubakar Tafawa Balewa, and Obafemi Awolowo, who once represented the unity of Nigeria. Together, we can transform this country, where people can not only have food to eat but also take pride in their nation. So, eat, drive, think, talk, dress, and move like Peter Obi," Yunusa concluded.

Moreover, the Chairman of the event, Prof. Chinyere Okunna, urged the people to keep the ideology of the Obedient Movement alive and visible for everyone to understand and join. "The Obedient Movement must build visibility for greater acceptance. We have a great leader, young, vibrant, grassroots-oriented, accessible, humane, and selfless. Let's go out there, work hard, and create visibility so that our efforts do not wane," Okunna said.

According to Ibrahim H. Abdulkarim, DG of Big Tent Nigeria, the importance of this gathering is to demonstrate how much the South East supports Peter Obi, so that people from Northern Nigeria can also show their support. "We have searched everywhere and have not seen anyone like Peter Obi. He is a workaholic who will fall sick if he stops working. The Presidential Villa is not a rest home for the elderly; it should be for young, energetic leaders ready to work for a new Nigeria," Abdulkarim noted.

Furthermore, Maazi Tochukwu Ezeoke, the Chairman Coordinating the Obedient Movement South East Symposium, stated that the movement is ready to support only candidates who align with its ideology, regardless of their political party. "At the state level, we will only back candidates who identify with our movement philosophically—candidates we can hold accountable, not those who merely speak eloquently after winning elections," Ezeoke asserted.

Hon. John Nwosu, a gubernatorial aspirant for Anambra 2025 under the Labour Party, said that the story of the Obedient Movement revolves around Peter Obi. "We must ensure that Peter Obi wins in his own state. My 7-point agenda includes security, health, economy, education, agriculture, environment, and social welfare. We need STEM education—Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics," Nwosu outlined.

Ben Chuka remarked, "We have made significant progress, but we are just getting started. Peter Obi won the 2023 election, and he will win again. This time, we will take power come 2027."

 

Dr. Oseloka Obaze commented: "They claimed we lacked a political structure, but we have heroes of this movement—from four people tweeting to a national and international movement. I make no apologies for being 'obedient.' If you want good governance, you are part of this movement, regardless of your political affiliation. We must stay vibrant and strong, and the next time we gather, the crowd will be even larger."

In his remarks, top gubernatorial aspirant Valentine Ozigbo reiterated, "Peter Obi is the beacon of hope in this country. With him, Nigeria will witness a new dawn. United we stand, divided we fall. If you don't understand the need to fix this country, the South East, and Anambra State, then you don't belong to the Obedient Movement."

"I have a comprehensive plan for a better and brighter Anambra State, addressing both spiritual and physical aspects, as well as ideological and political elements. We must tell ourselves the truth and unite as one. Val Ozigbo will make Anambra proud. We need to pray for Anambra State," Ozigbo concluded.